Heated cosmetic applicator

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic applicator including a base container defining a cosmetic chamber with an opening thereinto and a cap supporting an applicator rod extending to an applicator head. A rechargeable power reservoir is positioned within the cap. A control panel is positioned within the cap and associated with the rechargeable power reservoir. A heating mechanism extends within the applicator rod and supports one or more heating elements adjacent the applicator head. The heating elements are associated with the control panel for selective activation thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a cosmetic applicator. More particularly, the invention relates a cosmetic applicator configured to selectively heat a desired portion of the applicator head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cosmetic products such as mascara and liquid eyeliner are stored in paste or fluid form in closed containers at room temperature. The product remains in this condition until it is exposed to air. One consequence of exposure to air is that during immediate use the user has a certain amount of time in which to apply additional coats of makeup before it starts to harden. Another consequence is that with continued use, the cosmetic tends to build, clog, and harden on the applicator rod, brush and inside the cosmetic container.

Additionally, to achieve a desired look, many individuals utilize a heated curler to curl their eyelashes, either before or after application of the cosmetic. Consequently, a user must use two separate brushes or devices to apply the cosmetic and to also shape their lashes in a desired manner.

Additionally, some cosmetic formulations are limited due to the room temperature nature of the formula which limits the variety of suitable ingredients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least embodiment, the present invention provides a cosmetic applicator including a base container defining a cosmetic chamber with an opening thereinto and a cap supporting an applicator rod extending to an applicator head. A rechargeable power reservoir is positioned within the cap. A control panel is positioned within the cap and associated with the rechargeable power reservoir. A heating mechanism extends within the applicator rod and supports one or more heating elements adjacent the applicator head. The heating elements are associated with the control panel for selective activation thereof.

In another aspect, the cosmetic applicator may further include a charging assembly positioned within base container. The charging assembly may include a charging port in electrical communication with the control panel and rechargeable power reservoir. The cosmetic applicator may further include at least a first contact associated with the cap and a second contact associated with the base container and configured such that when the cap is secured on the base reservoir, the first and second contacts are engaged and the charging port is in electrical communication with the control panel and rechargeable power reservoir.

In another aspect, the cosmetic applicator may include at least a first contact associated with the cap and a second contact associated with the base container and configured such that when the cap is removed from the base reservoir, the first and second contacts are disengaged and the control panel activates the at least one heating element.

In at least one aspect, the inclusion of a heating mechanism allows application of an increased variety of ingredients and a superior quality of cosmetic formula to be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an exemplary cosmetic applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1 illustrating the charging port cover in a closed position.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the charging port cover in an open position.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating another exemplary cosmetic applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary cosmetic applicator 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention will be described. The cosmetic applicator 10 generally includes a base container 50 and a removable cap 20. The cap 20 includes a housing 22 extending from a closed end to an open end 26. Internal threads 28 are provided adjacent the open end 26 for connection of the cap 20 to the base container 50. A bridge 30 extends across the housing 22 and supports a hollow applicator rod 32 which terminates in an applicator head 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the applicator head 34 includes a plurality of radially extending bristles 35, however, the applicator head 34 may have other configurations. A space 25 is defined within the housing 22 between the bridge 30 and the closed end 24. The space 25 houses a control panel, for example, in the form of a printed circuit board (PCB) 40, and a power reservoir 42, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The base container 50 includes a housing 52 extending from a closed end 54 to an open end 56. The open end 56 preferably tapers to an externally threaded neck 57 configured to mate with the threads 28 of the cap 20. An interior bottom wall 60 extends across the housing 52 spaced from the closed end 54 such that a charging port area 55 is defined between the closed end 54 and the wall 60 and a cosmetic chamber 59 is defined between the wall 60 and the open end 56. The applicator head 34, and in some cases a portion of the applicator rod 32, are configured to be received through the open end 56 and into the cosmetic chamber 59 to access a cosmetic (e.g. mascara, eye liner or the like) (not shown) stored within the chamber 59.

Referring to FIG. 2, the PCB 40 supports electronic components and conductive elements. Among the conductive elements supported by the PCB, are electrical leads 41 and/or terminals that are effective to connect the PCB 40 to the power reservoir 42. The power reservoir 42 is preferably in the form of a rechargeable power storage device or accumulator, for example, a rechargeable battery or capacitor. By utilizing a rechargeable storage device, the size of the power reservoir 42 may be minimized by requiring storage of sufficient energy for a number of applications, but not a need to store enough energy for the lifetime of the cosmetic product. By minimizing the size of the power reservoir 42, the PCB 40 and power reservoir 42 may be stored within the space 25 without significantly increasing the length L1 or weight of the cap 20. This allows for the applicator 10 to provide nearly identical experience of a traditional cosmetic package. For example, in a cosmetic applicator, the cap 20 may have a length L1 of approximately 40 mm while the base container has a length L2 of approximately 75 mm. The length L2 of the base container 50 is approximately twice the length L1 of the cap 20.

In the present embodiment, the PCB 40 is electronically connected with a charging port 70 such that the PCB 40 controls charging of the power reservoir 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the PCB 40 includes leads 43 connected to one or more contacts 44 adjacent the open end 26 of the cap 20. Similarly, the charging port 70 includes pins 72 with contacts 74 connected via lead lines 75 to contacts 76 positioned proximate the open end 56 of the base container 50. The contacts 44 and 76 are positioned such that they will be in electrically conductive relationship to one another when the cap 20 is secured to the base container 50. As such, when the cap 20 is secured, the PCB 40, and thereby the power reservoir 42, is in electrical communication with the charging port 70. The charging port 70 may have various configurations, for example, USB, Thunderbolt, Pogopin, Firewire, and any other similarly functioning methods. While wired charging is described herein, it is also contemplated that the power reservoir 42 may be charged utilizing a non-contact energy delivery method. For example, non-contact energy delivery methods may include Qi, Witricity, PMA and any other similarly functioning methods.

Positioning of the charging port 70 in the closed end 54 of the base container 50 generally provides a better aesthetic appearance; however, it is contemplated that the charging port or a non-contact charging mechanism may be provided in the cap 20. For further aesthetics, a cover 64 may be slidably positioned relative to the opening 62 into the charging port 70. The cover 64 may be moved between the closed position illustrated in FIG. 3 and the open position illustrated in FIG. 4.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a heating mechanism 46 extends within the applicator rod 32 to the application head 34. The heating mechanism 46 is connected via a lead 45 or the like to the PCB 40. A plurality of heating elements 48 are positioned along the mechanism 46 in the area of the application head 34. The PCB 40 is configured to selectively energize the heating elements 48, the energy from which radiates to the application head 34, and the bristles 35 if included. The heating elements 48 may include a plurality of fixed value resistors electronically arranged in series, parallel, or any combination thereof. The heating elements 48 may be arranged in any desired configuration with respect to the heating mechanism 46. Additionally, while separate elements 48 are illustrated, it is contemplated that a single element may extend a desired length of the applicator head, for example, linearly or spirally thereabout. The PCB 40 is configured such that the heating elements 48 can deliver a varying amount of energy at any point along the length of the applicator head 34. Additionally or alternatively, the mechanical arrangement of the heating element may further be utilized to control the amount of energy at any point along the length of the applicator head 34. Preferably, one or more temperature sensors 47 are provided along the applicator head 34 to monitor the temperature and provide such information to the PCB 40. Additionally or alternatively, the applicator head 34 and/or bristles 35 may be manufactured from a heat sensitive material such they change color in response to the temperature thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment, the PCB 40 is configured to activate the desired heating elements 48 when the cap 20 is removed from the base container 50, i.e. the PCB 40 recognizes when the contacts 44 and 76 are disengaged from one another and thereby activates the heating elements 48. Alternative methods of operation, for example, an on/off switch may be utilized.

Referring to FIG. 5, another exemplary cosmetic applicator 10′ in accordance with the invention will be described. The applicator 10′ is substantially the same as in the previous embodiment and only the differences will be described herein. In the present embodiment, the cap 20′ includes an opening in the housing 22′ through which a control button 29 extends. The control button 29 allows the user to control the amount of heat to be applied by the heating elements 48. The button 29 may also be utilized as an on/off switch.

Additionally, the applicator 10′ includes one or more heating elements 61 which extend within the chamber 59 along the interior of the housing 52′ of the base 50′. The heating elements 61 are connected via lead lines 63 or the like to the PCB 40. The PCB 40 may activate the heating elements 61 to heat the cosmetic within the chamber 59, for example, to melt dried up cosmetic.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic applicator comprising: a base container defining a cosmetic chamber with an opening thereinto; a cap supporting an applicator rod extending to an applicator head; a rechargeable power reservoir positioned within the cap; a control panel positioned within the cap and associated with the rechargeable power reservoir; and a heating mechanism extending within the applicator rod, the heating mechanism supporting one or more heating elements adjacent the applicator head, wherein the heating elements are associated with the control panel for selective activation thereof.
 2. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, further comprising a charging assembly positioned within base container.
 3. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 2, wherein the charging assembly includes a charging port in electrical communication with the control panel and rechargeable power reservoir.
 4. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 3, further comprising at least a first contact associated with the cap and a second contact associated with the base container and configured such that when the cap is secured on the base reservoir, the first and second contacts are engaged and the charging port is in electrical communication with the control panel and rechargeable power reservoir.
 5. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, further comprising at least a first contact associated with the cap and a second contact associated with the base container and configured such that when the cap is removed from the base reservoir, the first and second contacts are disengaged and the control panel activates the at least one heating element. 